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Democrats pressure Rep. Conyers amid new charges of sexual misconduct

With a second House Democrat calling for his resignation over past allegations of unwanted sexual advances, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) found himself under pressure Tuesday to step down from his seat in the U.S. House, as a top black lawmaker in Congress said it would be up to the Michigan Democrat to decide his own future.

“Today I met with John and we had a very candid conversation about the seriousness of the allegations against him, which he vehemently denies,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“Any decision to resign from office before the ethics investigation is complete is John’s decision to make,” Richmond said in a statement issued late on Tuesday night.

With new press reports about possible sexual misconduct by Conyers involving a former staffer in his office, Richmond told reporters little about the details of the talk, but it was clear that the Black Caucus was trying to urge Conyers to move on.

“I think it is a personal decision,” Richmond told reporters, saying he had joined in a “lengthy discussion” with Conyers earlier in the day.

Cong Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond says Conyers decision on whether to resign is “a personal decision for him and his family.''

As House members returned to session for the first time since Thanksgiving, Conyers stayed away from the House floor on Tuesday, missing both recorded votes, as other Democrats weighed in on his future – and for some, there was no question about what should happen.

“I have looked up to Rep. Conyers for decades,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), who described herself as someone who had looked up to Conyers “for decades.”

“I believe these women, I see the pattern and there is only one conclusion – Mr. Conyers must resign,” Jayapal said, becoming the second Democrat in the House to call for his departure.